Stream Deck - USB-C connectivity
I bought an Elgato (now Corsair) Stream Deck Mk 2 a little while back, just to play with macros and recently, when putting my Wall-Deck Mk II back together, I ran into some trouble getting the device to detect. My initial guess was that I made a mistake wiring up my wall or that something had come loose. Spoiler: it wasn’t me, or the wall — it’s the Stream Deck.
Digging into this a bit further, I found a whole bunch of posts online specifically about the Stream Deck and how using anything but the original cable (implying USB-A) resulted in bad connectivity. Thankfully, USB-C does work, there’s just a small caveat to keep in mind.
Quick Links
Testing connectivity
This initial test is just there to verify that everything works as expected: I’m using the original cable, the way the manufacturer ‘intended’ for me to connect the device. No surprises here, the Stream Deck is picked up by the computer shortly after plugging in.
In my specific configuration at this time, I had a single USB-A port remaining (without resorting to using a hub), so I had hoped to just convert the Stream Deck to USB-C and make use of an extra USB-C port that I had handy. This is where the excitement starts: since the Stream Deck only gets recognized when the cable gets plugged in a specific orientation.
It would be as bit of a stretch (but not entirely unheard of) where the adapter converting USB-A to USB-C is [partially] defective and as such, only works in a given orientation. Just to rule this out for peace of mind, I tested this again using a straight USB-C to USB-C cable. Sadly, I can verify that again, it only works when plugged in using a specific orientation.
Conclusion
Despite hearing that USB-C is the best thing ever and works any way you connect it, the fact is, there are definitely some examples where it doesn’t ‘just work’. If you came here because you couldn’t figure out why your Stream Deck isn’t working or is ‘working intermittently’ (because you haven’t been paying super close attention to the orientation of your cable — rightfully so), just try flipping the cable.
Also bonus oddity: you have to flip the connection at the PC-end. Flipping the connection at the Stream Deck end has no impact.
Why Elgato (now Corsair) have done things this way? I have no clue but at least if you’re stuck with a Stream Deck that 'only works some of the time’, at least now you know you’re not alone and how to work around the problem.
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